Black New York City Firefighters Announce Major Settlement

NEW YORK — A black firefighters’ group that had sued New York City, alleging discrimination, said that minority fire department applicants will be eligible to receive back pay totaling $98 million.

The settlement of the 7-year-old case was announced by lawyers from the Center for Constitutional Rights, who represented the group, the Vulcan Society. They say the figure includes more than $6 million to cover lost medical payments.

The city says the figure includes back pay, fringe benefits and interest to the test takers. It wasn’t immediately clear how many people would be affected by the settlement.

Among other things, the Vulcan Society’s lawyers said, the FDNY will create an executive position for diversity.
The settlement pre-empts a trial that had been scheduled to start this month.

The FDNY, mayor’s office and city Law Department didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.